Tag Archives: cold water aquarium

In April I had the honor of meeting one of the most rare amphibians and I would venture to say that it must be the first time that anyone has taken photos under water of alpine newt in Denmark in its natural environment. Alpine newt is found only in southern Jutland around Aabenraa and only in ponds that do not get too hot in the summer. Alpine newt live in cold forest ponds and requires shade at the water hole, otherwise it may die of heat stroke. We were round to 7 different ponds in order to obtain the bare roughly term in the water. All the ponds were teeming with salamanders. The newts stayed on the bottom in the deepest part of the pond where the water was coldest.

Alpine newt is the most beautiful of our newt with its blue patterns, screaming orange belly and leopard spotted side. Unfortunately, the brown forest lake water make the colors disappear little, so a single male was captured for pictures in a photo aquarium and set out again. A fascinating encounter when you’ve been searching all day. April is the time when the mountain salamander mating and this is where it is easiest to find in the pond.

Thanks to Allan Høxbroe for the above water photos showing how to work in a small pond and thanks to Uffe Mikkelsen, who showed us around in the forests south of Aabenraa.

Here´s a short description of the technique involved in setting up the 500 liter tank.

The main tank is 500 liters, from here the water is guided to a 250 liter sump through the overflow. From the sump the water is pumped to a 140 liter aquarium, which was my old freshwater stream aquarium, now functioning as a filter.

Chiller: Resun 15R it is rated for a smaller aquarium, but with the thermoglass and insulation with styrofoam I hope it is enough. In addition I can ventilate the whole room by drawing in fresh cold air through a ventilation fan in the outer wall and there is a fan in the ceiling drawing out the hot air in the room through the roof.

The three Tunze pumps on each side og the overflow. They alternate the flow every 12 hours.

My algae reactor, so far running just as a test. To the left the filter aquarium.

From the sump, the water is pumped to a 140 liter aquarium filled with live rock. Above the aquarium there is a 39 W LED. I hope most of the algae will grow in the filter instead of the main tank.

The sump with the two outlets from the main tank, running into a filter bag. The filter is actualle made for straining water from berries, but it is perfect for filtrating larger particles. The mean midget skimmer is running after some extensive repairs

The aquarium is in place and it looks great. It is custom built and ordered from Decocean, who has been great in aswering questions and have great service. Now I am beginning the process of filling it with cold salt water. The reverse osmosis reactor is working full time. I have cheated and added 100 liters of rain water too and 75 liters of real seawater from Rågeleje. A DIY solution for the lightning is also in place. It is made out 3 X 1o W outdoor spots. I am ot sure it is enough even though cold water tanks need less light.